Bear-Proof Backpack And Latch System

ABSTRACT

A bear-proof backpack and latching system. The bear-proof backpack and latching system has a hard shelled main body portion having perimeter sidewalls that define a main body portion cavity, a first open mouth at a first end of the main body portion, the first open mouth having a first rim. It further includes a first hard shelled lid that detachably attaches over the first open mouth, the first lid having a perimeter lip with a leading edge that fits over the first rim. The first lid is attached to the first open mouth by a primary latch system that has a first latch mechanism located on the main body portion and a second latch mechanism located on the first lid, which first and second latch mechanisms detachably lock the first lid to cover the first open mouth of the main body portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/740,321, filed on Dec. 20, 2012 entitled “BEAR-PROOF BACKPACK AND LATCH SYSTEM.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hard shell backpack, and more specifically to a bear-proof backpack and latching system.

Bears have an acute sense of smell and aggressively seek food when hungry. Bears have been known to tear open car doors to get at food left instead parted vehicles. In the last several years, hikers and backpackers traveling through and staying overnight in U.S. Federal and State parks have been required to store food items in super strong containers that will thwart the efforts of bears to get at the food. However, such bear-proof containers, which are hard shelled and take up considerable space in backpacks can be heavy and inconvenient to use, particularly when carry a lot of food.

It would therefore be useful to have a hard-shelled backpack that can be opened easily and secured to prevent a bear from accessing the contents of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a bear-proof backpack and latching system of the invention with an upper lid removed and a lower lid attached to a main body portion.

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, with an optional support harness attached thereto.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the upper open mouth of the body portion, and showing part of the divider wall and a female portion of the latching system.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the upper open mouth of the body portion, and showing part of the divider wall and the female portion of the latching system.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the female portion of the latching system that resides in the body portion of the backpack.

FIG. 6 is a detail view showing one latch and cable that operate the latch.

FIG. 7A is an underside view of a lid of the bear-proof backpack showing a male portion of the latching system.

FIG. 7B is a detail showing an edge of the lid of the bear-proof backpack.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a lid of the bear-proof backpack of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another top view showing the upper open mouth of the body portion, and showing part of the divider wall and the female portion of the latching system.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an outer handle portion of a lock of the latching system, in its lock position.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an outer handle portion of a lock of the latching system, in its unlock position.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lock mounted on a wall of the body portion of the bear-proof backpack.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the optional support harness attached to a side of the body portion of the bear-proof backpack.

FIG. 14 is an inside of an engagement end of the optional support harness with connector, and a complementary connector on the side of the body portion of the bear-proof backpack.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the male portion of the latching system.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the male portion of the latching system and an exploded view showing the female portion of the latching system.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing the male portion and the female portion of the latching system before they are engaged together.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the male portion and the female portion of the latching system after engaged, but not locked together.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing the male portion and the female portion of the latching system after engaged and locked together by moving the cable and its connected blocking cylinder.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the female portion of the latching system with its locking cylinder in the unlocked position.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the female portion of the latching system with its locking cylinder in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a rear view and FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a bear-proof backpack and latching system 10 of the invention with an upper lid 18B (see FIG. 7A and FIG. 8) removed and a lower lid 18A attached to a main body portion 12. An upper open mouth 14 has a rim 26. A bead 16 is provided around an outer perimeter of the body portion 12. A lower rim 22 if formed around a lower end of the main body portion 12. An optional support harness 24 is shown attached to the side of body portion 22. The main body portion is formed of high strength material, such as laminated layers of carbon fiber material, and/or aramid, para-aramid synethetic fibers. For extra strength and a lightweight construction, materials such as Kevlar® can used. For ease of manufacture, a front section 13A and rear section 13B of the body portion can be riveted together. Although the main body portion 12 is shown has having a generally kidney-shaped cross-section, it can be made with an oval, obround, rectangular, or other shapes as desired.

Turning to FIGS. 3-6 and 9, there are shown various view of the upper open end of the main body portion 12. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the upper open mouth 14 of the main body portion 12, and showing part of the divider wall 30 and a female portion latch 40 of a latch assembly (the full assembly 180 being shown in FIGS. 16-19). FIG. 4 is a top view showing the upper open mouth 14 of the main body portion 12, and showing the divider wall 30 and the female portion latch 40 of the latching assembly. FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the female portion latch 40 of the latching assembly that resides in the main body portion 12 of the backpack, and FIG. 6 is a detail view showing one female portion latch 40 and the cable 42 that operate the female portion latch 40. In this exemplary embodiment, there are three spaced apart female portion latch 40 and a lock assembly 50 which lock and unlock the female portion latches 40 via a cable 42 that goes around an inner perimeter of the open mouth 16. The main body portion 12 has an inner wall 26 and for longer body portions, an optional inner divider support 30 is positioned in the main body portion 12 and can be permanently attached thereto, e.g., by a rim 34 which is riveted to the side walls 26 of the main body portion 12. So that relative long items (e.g., fishing rods, tent poles, etc.) can be passed through the inner divider support 30, openings 32 are preferably formed therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the female portion latch 40 have a top surface 44 and a hole 46 formed therein. The female portion latch 40 and the male latch portion 63 will be described below with respect to FIGS. 15-21.

FIG. 7A is an underside view and FIG. 8 is a top view of a lid 18B of the bear-proof backpack 12 showing a male latch portions 63 of the latching system. It has an upper face 64 and a protruding prong 66. The male latch portions 63 are aligned with the female latch portions 40 so that the protruding prong 66 of the male latch portions 63 will insert into the holes 46 of the female portion latches 40. In FIG. 7A, two of the three male latch portions 63 are shown attached to the lid 18B. The lid is preferably made of high strength material, such as such as laminated layers of carbon fiber material and Kevlar®. For lower strength or higher strength requirements, the thicknesses and types of materials can be varied as needed.

FIG. 7B is a detail showing an edge 68 of the lid 18B of the bear-proof backpack. So that a good seal can be established between the upper rim 26 of the main body portion 12, a groove 70 is preferably located between outer and inner sidewalls 72 and 74, respectively. When the lid 18B is placed on the upper open mouth 14 of the body portion, the male latch portion 63 of the latch assemble will engage with the female latch portion 40.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an outer handle portion 80 of the lock 50 of the latching system, in its lock position, and FIG. 11 is a front view of an outer knob portion 80 of the lock assembly 50 of the latching system in its unlock position. The outer knob portion 80 has a hole 84 through which can pass a spring-loaded keeper 82. The interaction of the spring-loaded keeper 82 in the hole 84 of the knob 80 will prevent the knob from being rotated unless the spring-loaded keeper 82 is depressed while simultaneously turning the knob 80. Bears, while being very strong, do not possess the intellect or dexterity to figure out how to operate the knob 80.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lock 50 mounted on a wall 36 of the main body portion 12 of the bear-proof backpack 10. The lock 50 has the knob 50 on the outside, which is operated as described above. The lock 50 includes a cable pulley 88 connected and turned by the knob 50. The cable pulley has two cable grooves 90A and 90B. Depending on which direction the knob is turned, the cable 42 (shown in FIGS. 3-6, 9, and 17-21) will be pulled to move either clockwise or counterclockwise around the inner perimeter of the mouth opening of the body portion and operate the female portions 40 of the latch assemblies 180.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the optional support harness 24 attached to a side of the main body portion 12 of the bear-proof backpack 10.

FIG. 14 is an inside of an engagement end of the optional support harness 24 with a slide connector 100 with countered capture groove 102, and a complementary slide connector 104 with on the side of the body portion of the bear-proof backpack. The slide connector 100 on the optional support harness 24 is adapted to slidably engage with the complementary slide connector 104, and they are held together with a pin 110. The optional support harness 24 supports the backpack 10 away from the back of a user wearing the backpack, and the size and shape of the optional support harness 24 can be varied as needed.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the male portion latch 63 of the latching system. It has an upper face 64 and a protruding prong 66. A semi-circular groove 242 is formed perpendicular to the axis of the protruding prong 66.

Lastly referring to FIGS. 16-21, there are shown various views of the latching assembly 180. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the male portion latch 63 and an exploded view showing the female portion latch 40 of the latching system 180. FIG. 17 is a side view showing the male portion latch 40 and the female portion latch 63 of the latching system 180 before they are engaged together. FIG. 18 is a side view showing the male portion latch 40 and the female portion latch 63 of the latching system 180 after engaged, but not locked together. FIG. 19 is a side view showing the male portion latch 40 and the female portion latch 63 of the latching system 180 after engaged and locked together by moving the cable and its connected locking cylinder. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the female portion latch 63 of the latching system with its blocking cylinder 202 in the unlocked position, and FIG. 20 shows the locking cylinder 202 in the locked position. The male portion latch 40 has a through hole 200, which is adapted to slidably receive a lock cylinder 202. The lock cylinder 202 has a cable hole 204 formed axially there through, and a screw hole with screw 206 to immobilize the lock cylinder 202 on the cable 42 when positioned in place, as best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. A pinhole 220 formed through a top of the female portion latch 40 allows access to tighten the screw 206. Threaded mounting holes 222 are located on the female portion latch 40 to allow the female portion latch 40 to be mounted in place to the inside wall of the main body portion 12. Push pins 210 with front ends 214 and through holes 204 are pressure fit into the through hole 200 in the female portion latch 40 to slidably retain the lock cylinder 202 in the through hole. A prong hole 46 is formed through the front face 44 of the female portion latch 40. As best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the prong hole 46 is partially aligned with the through hole 200 so that when the lock cylinder 200 is slide to intersection the prong hole 46, when the prong is inserted in the prong hole as shown in FIG. 18, and the cable 42 is shifted to the left, the lock cylinder 200 will pass into the semi-circular groove 242 and thereby positively prevent the male portion and female portions from being separated.

With this system, a simply turn of the knob 50 of the latch will move a cable 42, which simultaneously locks or unlocks the latches of the system, allowing the lids 18A and 18B to be removed. Although the exemplary embodiment shows a bear-proof with an two lids and a center divider, form shorter backpacks, it is possible to make the bottom lid be permanently attached, and just have the top lid be removable. In addition, it is possible to design the bear-proof backpack with a removable divider wall 30 to obviate the need for two removable lids.

In addition, while particular latching mechanisms have been shown, other latches can be used. Indeed, it is possible to make the lid hinged to the body portion.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bear-proof backpack and latching system, comprising: a hard shelled main body portion having perimeter sidewalls that define a main body portion cavity, a first open mouth at a first end of the main body portion, the first open mouth having a first rim; a first hard shelled lid that detachably attaches over the first open mouth, the first lid having a perimeter lip with a leading edge that fits over the first rim; and a primary latch system comprising a first latch mechanism located on the main body portion and a second latch mechanism located on the first lid, which first and second latch mechanisms detachably lock the first lid to cover the first open mouth of the main body portion.
 2. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, further comprising a hard and inflexible divider wall located within the cavity and engaged with the perimeter sidewalls thereof to stiffen the main body portion and divide it into two sections.
 3. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 2, wherein the hard and inflexible divider wall is permanently affixed to perimeter side walls and has at least one aperture formed therein.
 4. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, further comprising a protruding bead formed on the first rim adjacent to the first open mouth, wherein when the first lid is engaged over the first open mouth, the leading edge of the perimeter lip will be in close proximity to the protruding bead and form a smooth interface that is resistant to a bear's claw separating the first lid from the main body portion.
 5. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, further comprising a support harness that is affixed to the main body portion, which support harness includes shoulder straps for a user to carry the backpack on a user's back.
 6. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 5, wherein the support harness comprises a pair of arms that detachably attach to opposite sides of the main body portion.
 7. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises at least two hard shell sections which are permanently affixed together.
 8. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1 wherein the hard shelled main body portion and the first hard shelled lid comprise material composite materials.
 9. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, wherein in the primary latch system the first latch mechanism comprises (a) a lock assembly that is positioned on the hard shelled main body portion near the first end of the main body portion, (b) a plurality of spaced apart female portion latches that are positioned on inside walls of the hard shelled main body portion, each female latch portion latch having a body with a through hole that slidably receives a blocking cylinder, and a prong hole that intersects its through hole, and (c) a cable that is connected to the lock assembly and to each blocking cylinder, and wherein the second latch mechanism comprises a plurality of male latch portions that are affixed to the first hard shelled lid, each male latch portion having a prong with a notch formed thereon, wherein when the first lid hard shelled lid is fitted over the first mouth of the main body portion, the prongs are slidably received in the prong holes of the spaced apart female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the locked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders so they intersect the prong holes with the blocking cylinders engaging with the notches on the prongs to thereby block withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders out of intersection with the prong holes, thereby allowing withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches and removal of the first lid from the first mouth of the main body portion.
 10. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 9, wherein the lock assembly comprises a rotating outer handle portion that is accessible from an outside of the main body portion, a spring loaded keeper that must be activated to allow the outer handle portion to be rotated from a locked state to an unlocked state, and a cable pulley rotatably connected to the outer handle portion, which cable pulley is located inside of the main body portion and connects to and moves the cable and blocking cylinders connected thereto.
 11. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a generally kidney-shaped cross-section.
 12. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 1, wherein the hard shelled main body portion further has a second open mouth at a second end of the main body portion that is opposite of the first mouth, the second open mouth having a second rim, and a second hard shelled lid that detachably attaches over the second open mouth, the second lid having a perimeter lip with a leading edge that fits over the second rim, and a secondary latch system comprising a first latch mechanism located on the main body portion and a second latch mechanism located on the first lid, which first and second latch mechanisms detachably lock the second lid to cover the second open mouth of the main body portion.
 13. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 12, further comprising a protruding bead formed on the second rim adjacent to the second open mouth, wherein when the second lid is engaged over the second open mouth, the leading edge of the perimeter lip will be in close proximity to the protruding bead and form a smooth interface that is resistant to a bear's claw separating the second lid from the main body portion.
 14. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 12, wherein in the secondary latch system the first latch mechanism comprises (a) a lock assembly that is positioned on the hard shelled main body portion near the second end, (b) a plurality of spaced apart female portion latches that are positioned on inside walls of the hard shelled main body portion near the second end, each female latch portion latch having a body with a through hole that slidably receives a blocking cylinder, and a prong hole that intersects its through hole, and (c) a cable that is connected to the lock assembly and to each blocking cylinder, and wherein the second latch mechanism comprises a plurality of male latch portions that are affixed to the second hard shelled lid, each male latch portion having a prong with a notch formed thereon, wherein when the second lid hard shelled lid is fitted over the second mouth of the main body portion, the prongs are slidably received in the prong holes of the spaced apart female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the locked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders so they intersect the prong holes with the blocking cylinders engaging with the notches on the prongs to thereby block withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders out of intersection with the prong holes, thereby allowing withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches and removal of the second lid from the second mouth of the main body portion.
 15. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 14, wherein the lock assembly comprises a rotating outer handle portion that is accessible from an outside of the main body portion, a spring loaded keeper that must be activated to allow the outer handle portion to be rotated from a locked state to an unlocked state, and a cable pulley rotatably connected to the outer handle portion, which cable pulley is located inside of the main body portion and connects to and moves the cable and blocking cylinders connected thereto.
 16. A bear-proof backpack and latching system, comprising: a hard shelled main body portion having perimeter sidewalls that define a main body portion cavity, a first open mouth at a first end of the main body portion, the first open mouth having a first rim a protruding bead formed on the first rim adjacent to the first open mouth; a hard and inflexible divider wall located within the cavity and engaged with the perimeter sidewalls thereof to stiffen the main body portion and divide it into two sections. a first hard shelled lid that detachably attaches over the first open mouth, the first lid having a perimeter lip with a leading edge that fits over the first rim; and a primary latch system comprising a first latch mechanism located on the main body portion and a second latch mechanism located on the first lid, which first and second latch mechanisms detachably lock the first lid to cover the first open mouth of the main body portion; wherein when the first lid is engaged over the first open mouth, the leading edge of the perimeter lip will be in close proximity to the protruding bead and form a smooth interface that is resistant to a bear's claw separating the first lid from the main body portion.
 17. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 16, further comprising a support harness that is affixed to the main body portion, which support harness includes shoulder straps for a user to carry the backpack on a user's back.
 18. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 16, wherein in the primary latch system the first latch mechanism comprises (a) a lock assembly that is positioned on the hard shelled main body portion near the first end of the main body portion, the lock assembly comprising a rotating outer handle portion that is accessible from an outside of the main body portion, a spring loaded keeper that must be activated to allow the outer handle portion to be rotated from a locked state to an unlocked state, and a cable pulley rotatably connected to the outer handle portion, which cable pulley is located inside of the main body portion, (b) a plurality of spaced apart female portion latches that are positioned on inside walls of the hard shelled main body portion, each female latch portion latch having a body with a through hole that slidably receives a blocking cylinder, and a prong hole that intersects its through hole, and (c) a cable that is connected to the lock assembly and to each blocking cylinder, and wherein the second latch mechanism comprises a plurality of male latch portions that are affixed to the first hard shelled lid, each male latch portion having a prong with a notch formed thereon, wherein when the first lid hard shelled lid is fitted over the first mouth of the main body portion, the prongs are slidably received in the prong holes of the spaced apart female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the locked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders so they intersect the prong holes with the blocking cylinders engaging with the notches on the prongs to thereby block withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders out of intersection with the prong holes, thereby allowing withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches and removal of the first lid from the first mouth of the main body portion.
 19. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 16, wherein the hard shelled main body portion further has a second open mouth at a second end of the main body portion that is opposite of the first mouth, the second open mouth having a second rim, and a second hard shelled lid that detachably attaches over the second open mouth, the second lid having a perimeter lip with a leading edge that fits over the second rim, and a secondary latch system comprising a first latch mechanism located on the main body portion and a second latch mechanism located on the first lid, which first and second latch mechanisms detachably lock the second lid to cover the second open mouth of the main body portion.
 20. The bear-proof backpack and latching system of claim 16, wherein in the secondary latch system the first latch mechanism comprises (a) a lock assembly that is positioned on the hard shelled main body portion near the second end of the main body portion, the lock assembly comprising a rotating outer handle portion that is accessible from an outside of the main body portion, a spring loaded keeper that must be activated to allow the outer handle portion to be rotated from a locked state to an unlocked state, and a cable pulley rotatably connected to the outer handle portion, which cable pulley is located inside of the main body portion, (b) a plurality of spaced apart female portion latches that are positioned on inside walls of the hard shelled main body portion, each female latch portion latch having a body with a through hole that slidably receives a blocking cylinder, and a prong hole that intersects its through hole, and (c) a cable that is connected to the lock assembly and to each blocking cylinder, and wherein the second latch mechanism comprises a plurality of male latch portions that are affixed to the second hard shelled lid, each male latch portion having a prong with a notch formed thereon, wherein when the second lid hard shelled lid is fitted over the second mouth of the main body portion, the prongs are slidably received in the prong holes of the spaced apart female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the locked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders so they intersect the prong holes with the blocking cylinders engaging with the notches on the prongs to thereby block withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches, and wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked state, the cable moves the blocking cylinders out of intersection with the prong holes, thereby allowing withdrawal of the prongs from the female portion latches and removal of the second lid from the second mouth of the main body portion. 